The first time we witnessed the electric chemistry of Mallory Swanson, Sophia Wilson (née Smith), and Trinity Rodman starting together was on June 1, 2024—the debut of Emma Hayes as head coach of the US Women’s National Team, just weeks before the Olympics.
Their explosive arrival was delayed by injuries and other uncertainties, but the timing couldn’t have been better. They burst onto the scene just in time to ignite a scorching gold medal run. The self-proclaimed “Triple Espresso” delivered 10 of the USA’s 12 goals in Paris, dazzling fans with their flair. Each brought individual brilliance capable of saving games: Rodman’s 105th-minute stunner to beat Japan in the quarter-finals, Wilson’s 95th-minute breakthrough in a grueling semi against Germany, and Swanson’s game-winning strike for the gold against Brazil.
But that explosive trio hasn’t shared the field since.
Just a week after the U.S. fell to Japan in the SheBelieves Cup final on March 5, Wilson announced her pregnancy. On May 8, Swanson followed suit with her own baby news. Meanwhile, Rodman, battling back problems, made a brief return in April—scoring just five minutes into her comeback—but has since stepped away to rehab her chronic pain.
Given their youth and undeniable talent—Rodman, Wilson, and Swanson will be just 25, 26, and 29 at the next World Cup—it’s hard to imagine they won’t reunite. Still, as the old saying goes, the best-laid plans often go astray.
Right now, Hayes is focused on shaping the squad that can challenge for a trophy at World Cup 2027. With two years to go, we’re in the thick of the development and experimentation phase. Hayes knows she can’t count on Triple Espresso being ready and healthy by the time Brazil 2027 arrives.
Last week, she unveiled a 24-player training camp roster ahead of friendlies against No. 17-ranked China on Saturday and No. 40-ranked Jamaica next Tuesday. With Triple Espresso out, Hayes has brought in a new wave of attackers hoping to lock in their spot.
Ironically, the trio’s absence is a golden opportunity. It forces a deep player pool to step up, fine-tune finishing, and battle for lasting roles. It’s also a chance for young talent to gain valuable experience against top-tier opponents.
No one has seized that moment more than Alyssa Thompson. After missing the 2024 Olympics, the 20-year-old winger clawed her way back into the national spotlight with standout performances for Angel City in the NWSL. She’s been on fire in 2025: five goals and two assists in nine games, leading all USWNT camp players with 0.8 goal contributions per 90 minutes.
Joining her is 19-year-old sister Gisele Thompson, typically a fullback for Angel City. But this time, she’s listed as a forward—a nod to her attacking instincts. With three assists and one goal in 10 NWSL games, and the highest assists per 90 rate among camp players, she’s exactly the kind of moldable young talent Hayes loves to develop.
Of the seven forwards in camp, four are 22 or younger. The Thompson sisters are joined by 22-year-old Michelle Cooper, who brings two goals and one assist in just five games for first-place Kansas City, and 21-year-old Ally Sentnor, a rising star with the Utah Royals. Both Cooper and Sentnor scored their first international goals during the SheBelieves Cup.
Also returning is 24-year-old Emma Sears, who’s racked up five goals in 10 matches for Racing Louisville—proof that club performance matters to Hayes.
Meanwhile, veterans like 32-year-old Lynn Biyendolo offer leadership, with 78 caps and 22 goals for the USWNT, alongside 25-year-old Cat Macario, whom Hayes coached at Chelsea, where Macario netted 11 goals across all competitions this year.
Hayes will likely rotate her preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, leaning on veterans like Macario or Biyendolo as the focal strikers while testing winger combinations around them.
Recreating the firepower of Triple Espresso won’t be a solo act—it’ll take a team. In midfield, 32-year-old Lo’eau LaBonta has earned her first national call-up, joined by rising teenagers Claire Hutton, Lily Yohannes, and Olivia Moultrie, plus Olympic gold medalists Sam Coffey and Lindsey Heaps. The mix of technical skill and athleticism will be vital in an evolving midfield still searching for its identity.
Defensively, expect plenty of action from attacking-minded fullbacks like Emily Fox, Crystal Dunn, and newcomers Kerry Abello and Avery Patterson. The latter already has two goals this season for Houston Dash.
Still, nobody's job is safe. Hayes has made it clear: club form is king. Standouts like Korbin Albert, Jaedyn Shaw, and Mia Fishel—recently back from an ACL injury—are currently with the U23 squad, but all are elite talents likely to return.
Others, like NWSL rookie Riley Tiernan, are hot on their heels. Tiernan is tied with Alyssa Thompson for seven goal contributions, the second-most in the league.
Hayes said it best when announcing the roster:
“As has been one of our focuses this year, this camp and the following camp are going to be two amazing opportunities to develop squad depth.”
Sure, there’s nothing quite like Triple Espresso. But the upcoming matches promise more of the year’s defining theme: rotation, experimentation, and the chance to build a battle-tested roster ready for a trophy run in 2027.